[RIP Trevor Maggs]

Thank you Issy.

[Aster and Salvo at Sutton Stop]

12 minutes ago, Derek R. said:

Veater - that was it! Close though. And Miss Edwards, though I thought they were at Sutton's. Is that really Bulls Bridge office? I have an image of him in my mind from a video of being more 'portly'. Maybe shot later in life. (And no, I don't mean literally).

Dereck, there are a couple of much later pictures of Mr Veater at Sutton's in the Longdon / Rolt "A Canal People" on pages 52 & 53.

[Hillmorton to Clifton stretch ruined.]

When I worked for BT I once went to look at a job vacancy at Rugby Radio, it was manned by lots of beardy blokes in cow gowns and sandals - I decided it wasn't for me. 

[Aster and Salvo at Sutton Stop]

12 hours ago, Derek R. said:

And I believe the traffic managers name was Mr. Vegus.

Mr. Veater and I believe his secretary was Miss Edwards.

His little office at Sutton's and himself at Bull's Bridge.

[Hillmorton to Clifton stretch ruined.]

On the original plans a mile wide "nature corridor" was planned between the canal and the nearest buildings. Looking at the recent plans I wonder what happened to that?

££££ possibly?

[Aster and Salvo at Sutton Stop]

Colin, the picture of Salvo came from here: http://collections.canalrivertrust.org.uk/bw197.2.24.26

BW197/2/24/26

"OC Salvo before 1964"

Description

View of the converted butty "Salvo" and another boat moored near a large crane

Date

1960s

Reference code

BW197/2/24/26

Extent & medium

1 colour slide

 

[Aster and Salvo at Sutton Stop]

Archie, well spotted.

There is a Sally Army badge on the outside boat and the inside boat has a + on the side of the cabin.

The cottage was originally Sephton's Yard. The cottage is still there although it has been altered somewhat.

[RIP Trevor Maggs]

James you have PM.

[Cardboard Boats]

45 minutes ago, Athy said:

 

I think that a small number of dedicated anorak-wearers did build track which was the right gauge for 00 models - was it called EM Gauge?

Yes, and / or Scalefour and P4

The Scalefour Society caters for the needs of railway modellers working to the scale of 4mm/ft (1:76.2), the most popular of the British model railway scales. It promotes and encourages the use of effective modelling techniques and fine scale standards among all 4mm railway modellers with a particular emphasis on the use of scale wheels and track.

https://www.scalefour.org/

http://p4layouts.org.uk/

http://www.emgs.org/

EM means Eighteen Millimetres – the original finescale track gauge adopted by 4mm scale modellers in the mid-1950s (now 18.2mm).

[RIP Trevor Maggs]

It was a good send off. About 170 folks at his service at Rainsbrook Crematorium. 

[Narrowboat at sea adventure]

One of the many times I went offshore in a proper yacht I met my friends Hugheee & Beeert. 

Worst I've ever been in is a F9 between St Malo & Guernsey. I certainly wouldn't want to do that in a narrow boat.

[BCN Toll Islands]

A picture from here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/gallery/archive-photos-birmingham-1960s-10800614

[Today is a good day]

Went out for a potter yesterday, catkins are out.

[Traveling on a canal at night?]

4 hours ago, alan_fincher said:

I very much doubt it.

I bet that threw a wide beam, not a searchlight or spotlight one.

Also I bet it was no more than a 50W bulb at the end of 60 feet of inadequate cable with a large voltage drop, so not that bright.

It may look impressive, but not like the idiots with search lights with powerful halogen bulbs we have to endure now, I bet.

Alan, do you really think I was not aware of that? I was meant to be humour which is why i put this: 

[Traveling on a canal at night?]

14 minutes ago, dave moore said:

Because many know no better. Why searchlight type headlamps are popular is an enduring mystery to me.

Historical precedent? 

[Small Bath Options? - People's thoughts and experiences, please?]

As your boat is named Flamingo what about one of these? 

[Small Bath Options? - People's thoughts and experiences, please?]

We have the standard MC type bath. Never used for ourselves but is it useful for washing the dog and as an area to dry wet cloths. It does incorporate a shower which gets regular use!!

[London gets tough]

Buzby was a yellow (later orange) talking cartoon bird, launched in 1976 as part of a marketing campaign by Post Office Telecommunications, which later became British Telecommunications (BT). (My ex employer).

[Threaded brass eye?]

I got this from Midland Chandlers.

An alternative I bought from Tradline, Braunston.

[Audlem Gathering of Historic Boats 2018]

10 hours ago, Captain Pegg said:

Canal carrying started in the mid-1930s and ended in the 1960s. All the boats were built at Woolwich or Northwich. Everyone knows that don't they?

Mind you I could register myself as a canal company, stick my name on the side and call myself a Number One (which the genuine article maybe never did).

Am I missing something? I thought commercial canal carrying started with the Duke of Bridgewater's canal carrying coal to Manchester, opened 17th July 1761.

[Interesting details from the bottom of a lock.]

The inlets of Napton Bottom Lock for comparison.

Moomin Pappa, I'll see your fenders and raise you a Walsh windlass. 

[Willow Wren Original Hire Boats]

From "The Canals Book 1974."

[CRT boat seizures in Yorkshire]

Ay up, this one is on beer barrels. Is this where the barrels from the "London gets tough" thread have gone?

https://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Canal-Narrow-Boats-for-sale/springer-29/190061

[A list of ex-Challenger narrowboats?]

In alphabetical order.

Arthur (tug)       Centurion          Explorer           Vanguard          Vulcan

Benbow              Champion        Invincible          Venus               Warwick

Black Swan          Conqueror      Norfolk              Verity

Black Watch        Empire            Shrewsbury       Viceroy

Broad Sword        Endeavor        Valkyre             Victorious

Buccaneer           Enterprise        Valour              Virtue

Then there was the Stealth Hire fleet:  Blackbird:  Eagle:  George:  Phantom:  Shadow:  Sky Hawk:  Vanquish:  Victory and Vigilant.

The boats were marketed as "Superior hire boats for superior people."

This is all I am aware of, although I may have missed one or two.

Originally based at Market Drayton.

Ron Hough painted most the Roses & Castles whilst David Suchet was invited to officially name the boats.

[Just a little Tug...]

17 minutes ago, Bee said:

Seems to get along at a good speed, .... so..... if the flat out speed of a short boat is x , does coupling it to a 70 foot long boat make the whole ensemble go faster? waterline length and all that stuff, just plain yes/no/dunno will do, equations and square roots make my head ache.

Speaking to Mike H about this last Wednesday. He says the tug will be able to go faster pushing a "flat" as it won't bury its bow as it would alone. See end of Mike's video.